Sitting for long periods can have serious health consequences, especially if one's posture and workstation are poor. To maintain a healthy posture and work more comfortably, here are tips on how to set up your workspace.

Steps

Method1

Maintain a Healthy Posture

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Adjust chair height so that your feet are flat on the floor. This will keep your knees and hips at roughly the same height. To find this height, stand by the chair and raise or lower the seat pan to just below your elbows bent between 90 and 110 degrees. Take care that your elbows are not winged out, but instead hang with your upper arms at a comfortable, fairly vertical alignment. Your forearms should be parallel to the ground and your wrists in a neutral position. Since most desks are fixed height, it is best to adjust the chair height for the correct position of the arms and hands. Then, if necessary, provide support for the feet so that the underside of the thighs are just supported at the edge of the seat.

Some desks do adjust in height, so look to see if there is such an adjustment. Much modular office furniture (i.e. cubicles) allows for adjustment of work surface height, as well, although making this adjustment may require some work. Ask your employer or facilities department to help you adjust such a desk.

Consider split-design or tented-and-raised keyboard; otherwise, simply try to select one which is the right size for your hands.

To help your wrists “float” over the keyboard, use a wrist rest; however, only use it if it actually elevates your wrists; depending on your position, this might actually encourage you to hold your hands at a bad angle.

Many keyboards have tabs to raise the back, but check your wrist position before you use them. You may need to raise the front, instead. If your keyboard has no such adjustment, try propping up the front on a paint stick, a couple of erasers, or other such object.

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Change your posture regularly. Regardless of how healthy your work posture is, sitting in any one position for an extended period is not healthy. If you have an adjustable chair, alternate between the following positions, all of which will keep your pose neutral and relaxed:

Alternatively, stand. If your desk is adjustable (or you can get another work station), stand. You can keep a footrest nearby and take turns resting your legs on it. Note that staying on your feet all day, while healthy, can make them sore; this position might be best for a job that doesn’t require long periods at the desk (or can accommodate a small, secondary standing workspace).

Method2

Set Up Your Desk

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Keep your monitor between 20 and 40 inches (50 and 100 centimeters) from your face. This will reduce eye strain. If the depth of your desk doesn’t allow this, move your monitor to a corner, request a flat screen monitor (if applicable), or purchase an attachable computer tray to create a deeper working surface.

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Adjust the monitor so that the center sits at eye level. The monitor should always be directly in front of your face (preferably no more than 35 degrees to either side) and at or slightly below eye level. However, if you wear bifocals and usually tilt your head back in order to look down through them at the monitor, lower the monitor (or raise your chair) so that the monitor sits 15 to 20 degrees below eye level; note that this may require you to tilt the screen slightly upwards toward your face. Avoid the need to tilt the head back, causing tension in the neck and shoulders.

Keep your keyboard at the right height. To reach the keyboard, your forearms should bend no more than 20 degrees above horizontal (if sitting) or 45 below (if standing).

Keyboard trays can lower the keyboard and mouse, and help keep them within easy reach. Good ones allow you to adjust the position and angle, as well. Consider a keyboard tray, especially if you are shorter.

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Place the mouse near the keyboard. Keep it in a position that will enable you to transition between typing and using the mouse with as little effect on your arm and wrist posture as possible. If you have a 10-key on the right side of your keyboard, you may want to use your mouse on the left side; this centers the part of your keyboard that you use most. You can also alternate left and right-sided mouse usage to dilute the effects of repetitive use.

Choose a mouse which is the right size for your hands. Don't rule out "portable" mice (if your hands are smaller) or "gaming" mice if your hands are larger. Try to find a shop where you can try out a variety of mice.

Adjust the mouse drivers in software, if you wish to change the speed of the cursor movement relative to the mouse movement. Adjust it so it feels right for you.

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Manage cables. If you have cables on your keyboard, mouse, or other peripherals, collect them so they are out of the way and do not pull against your work. Bundle monitor and other cables so they are out of the way.

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Arrange items within sight and reach. Place your phone, writing equipment, books and other frequently-used items within easy reach from where you sit. You should not need to stretch to reach frequently used objects.

If you use a document holder, do not place it to one side of your monitor (unless you also use a second one on the other side); turning your head in one direction for prolonged periods fatigues the neck muscles. Instead, position the document holder directly beneath the monitor, angling it between the monitor and keyboard. If you touch type and do a lot of transcription, consider placing the document holder in front of you, with the screen to one side. The main focus of attention is then straight ahead with occasional movements to view the screen. Another option would be to provide a lectern that is positioned between the keyboard and screen.

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Get a phone headset. If you spend a lot of time on the phone, a hands-free set will leave your hands for other tasks. It will also prevent awkward neck positions from perching a phone between your shoulder and your ear.

Community Q&A

Keep a schedule of each assignment and when it is due. Regularly check your schedule to see which assignments will be due soon, and focus on those first. If you have extra time, you can work on homework that's due later on.

Video

Tips

Make sure that your computer is situated in a well-ventilated location for both your comfort and the condition of your computer. Consider having a plant or two in your workspace. You should also make sure that the area receives sufficient heat and air conditioning so you are relaxed while working.

If you operate multiple computers at the same desk, freeware called Synergy will let you use a single mouse and keyboard across both.

Stop working and stretch or walk about every 30 minutes. If you forget, set an alarm on your computer, watch, phone or other instrument to remind you. There is a free program called Workrave, which reminds you to take shorter and longer breaks at intervals you set.

Adjust the lighting and monitor position is such that there is no glare on the screen when you are facing it directly. You can improvise a monitor hood from cardboard, to see how one will work.

Remember, ergonomics is about what works for you. Be on the lookout for ways to improve, and if you find an activity awkward or a position uncomfortable, continue to adjust the activity, the workspace, or both.

Avoid sitting with your back to a window, especially one which gets direct sunlight.

Ergonomic adjustments don't need to be costly to work. An old phone book or thick catalog makes a great footrest if you can't purchase a ready-made one. You can adjust it by tearing out or adding pages. A ream of office paper works, too.

Wear a cap or visor if overhead lights are too strong.

Take "working breaks" to carry out other tasks, e.g. collecting and distributing post. If a walk to the drinks machine or restroom does not provide sufficient overall exercise, use one on another floor or take the long way around to get there.

Office liquidators can be a good, affordable source of ergonomic office chairs, and they often have a variety. Try a whole range to narrow down which ones fit you. Then, adjust the best one(s) to fit your body and your work style.

Try to move frequently, and avoid staying in one position for too long. Get up to shred a document or get a paper off the printer.

In 2000, during the Clinton Administration, OSHA passed an ergonomic standard that made it a Federal Regulation to have an ergonomically correct workstation for every employee. OSHA's ergonomic standard was repealed on March 20, 2001 by President Bush. There was a 20page checklist on OSHA's website that could be used by everyone to make sure their workstation was set up ergonomically, which is now being used in South America, Canada, and even in Iraq at a girl's school. For some reason, here in the United States, an individual must pay $200 for the checklist and it cannot be copied.

Warnings

Do not wait until you begin to have problems before making these ergonomic adjustments. It can be much more difficult to recover from an injury than to prevent it, so your best bet would be to make these changes as soon as possible!

If you need to stretch to reach items, it means it is time to get off your chair and walk to get the item.